DISCERN | MAY/JUNE 2022 by Life, Hope & Truth

DISCERN May/June 2022

A Magazine of

Positive Parenting When God 5 Reasons Is Silent Why You

Should The Importance Observe of Mothers Pentecost

DISCERN A Magazine of

Discern magazine (ISSN 2372-1995 [print]; ISSN 2372-2010 [online]) is published every two months by the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, as a service to readers of its LifeHopeandTruth.com website. Discern’s home page is LifeHopeandTruth.com/Discern. Free electronic subscriptions can be obtained at LifeHopeandTruth. com/Discern. Contact us at info@DiscernMag.com.

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Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3490, McKinney, TX 75070-8189 © 2022 Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Publisher: Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc., P.O. Box 3490, McKinney, TX 75070-8189; phone 972-521-7777; fax 972-521-7770; info@cogwa.org; LifeHopeandTruth.com; cogwa.org Ministerial Board of Directors: David Baker, Arnold Hampton, Joel Meeker (chairman), Larry Salyer, Richard Thompson, Leon Walker and Lyle Welty Staff: President: Jim Franks; Editor: Clyde Kilough; Editorial content manager: Mike Bennett; Managing editor: David Hicks; Senior editor: David Treybig; Associate editors: Erik Jones, Jeremy Lallier; Copy editor: Becky Bennett; Social media: Hailey Willoughby

10 Columns 3

19 24 27 28

“Is There Any Hope?”

Q&A

Answers to Your Biblical Questions

Christianity in Progress

When God Is Silent

Wonders of God’s Creation Nature’s Little Night-Light

Walk as He Walked

The Powerful Life and Example of John the Baptist

Doctrinal reviewers: John Foster, Bruce Gore, Peter Hawkins, Jack Hendren, Don Henson, Doug Johnson, Larry Neff, Paul Suckling

The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. has congregations and ministers throughout the United States and many other countries. Visit cogwa.org/ congregations for information.

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Donations to support Discern magazine and LifeHopeandTruth.com can be made online at LifeHopeandTruth.com/donate or by surface mail to Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc., P.O. Box 731480, Dallas, TX 75373-1480. The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. is organized and operated as a tax-exempt organization in the United States according to the requirements of IRS 501(c)(3). Contributions are gratefully acknowledged by receipt. Unsolicited materials sent to Discern magazine will not be critiqued or returned. By submitting material, authors agree that their submissions become the property of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc. to use as it sees fit. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.). Used by permission. All rights reserved. This publication is not to be sold. Free educational material.

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Consider This

By the Way A Lesson From a Hole in the Ground

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As this issue goes out, the Feast of Pentecost is rapidly approaching. This Christian holy day has important meanings that continue to be relevant today.

Positive Parenting

Parenting isn’t an exact science, and every family is different. What can we do to have the best chance of raising happy, healthy and welladjusted kids?

Why Are Dads Important?

Dads are a disappearing and often disrespected resource. But what do studies, statistics and Scripture tell us about why dads are important?

The Importance of Mothers

One of God’s most amazing creations is the role of a mother. A mother’s influence helps shape her children and has a profound impact on their future.

From Pentecost to . . . Pentecostalism?

A popular religious movement calls itself Pentecostal. But does this movement accurately reflect what occurred on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2?

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5 Reasons Why You Should Observe Pentecost

Inflation, Economic Instability and Bible Prophecy

What does Bible prophecy say about end-time economic conditions? How might today’s inflation and economic instability lead toward those conditions?

May/June 2022

Cover photo: stock.adobe.com Photos this page: iStockphoto.com; Lightstock.com

May/June 2022; Vol. 9, No. 3

CONSIDER THIS

“Is There Any Hope?”

n Dec. 17, 1927, the USS S-4 submarine was running a routine course off the Massachusetts coast when, while surfacing, it was accidentally rammed and sunk by a Coast Guard destroyer. Severe weather impeded rescue efforts for 24 hours, but when divers finally reached the hull, much to their surprise, they heard tapping noises coming from within the sub. Through Morse code, they learned six trapped sailors were still alive. Frantic rescue endeavors ensued, but weather continued to stymie their efforts. Eventually, knowing their oxygen would soon be exhausted, the trapped men tapped a haunting question to the divers on the other side of the hull: “Is there any hope?” Captain Ernest King sent the reply, “There is hope. Everything possible is being done.”

Hope for a sinking world?

Do you ever feel like humanity is trapped in a sinking ship? That it’s impossible to grasp any sense of optimism about the future? As I write, we are in the first week of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. By the time you read this, the world will have changed. How, I don’t know, but it will not have been for the better. Israeli professor Yuval Noah Harari assesses it well: “At the heart of the Ukraine crisis lies a fundamental question about the nature of history and the nature of humanity: is change possible? Can humans change the way they behave, or does history repeat itself endlessly, with humans forever condemned to reenact past tragedies without changing anything except the décor?” God has already answered his existential question: No, humans do not change, and cannot change unless we listen to Him. In fact, we will not only repeat, but worsen our behavior to the point that “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22). So, are we doomed? Not at all! Even in such dire conditions, our Captain—Jesus Christ, “the captain of [our] salvation” (Hebrews 2:10)—taps back to us, “There is hope!” In the same verse in Matthew He promises, “But for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Thank God, humanity’s rescue does not depend on human efforts—it’s human effort that has sunk

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our ship in the first place! But “everything possible is being done”—God is doing everything possible to ensure our survival. In knowing that, “there is hope!”

Life, hope and truth

Recently, an advertising agent asked me, “What is your Church’s unique message?” My mind immediately flew to the three words that describe our website and gospel proclamation effort: life, hope and truth. “We want to explain the reason and purpose for life itself,” I said. “So many have lost any meaning for life, any sense of destiny, so we strive to explain what this life is all about. “So many have also lost hope. So we work to lift people’s eyes to the brighter future God promises. “And all of that comes from knowing God’s truth. God’s Word has been so skewed it’s no longer recognizable. We convey the Bible’s truth and show how following Him offers the only path to escaping the world’s troubles.” We want to help people look at the world around, then look at God, and consider: which, and which way of life, offers any real hope? Those six sailors were helpless to free themselves. Trapped in their sunken tomb along with their shipmates, they gasped not only for air, but for hope— hope for rescue, for life. Their hope now lies in the promised resurrection as, sad to say, all human efforts failed to save them. Today, all humanity finds itself trapped in sin and gasping for hope. God’s efforts won’t fail, but now is the time to turn to follow Him, to start walking in truth instead of the ways of this world, and to start living with hope!

Clyde Kilough Editor

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Parenting isn’t an exact science, and every family is different. What can we do to have the best chance of raising happy, healthy and well-adjusted kids?

Positive Parenting 4

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May/June 2022

hen my wife and I were newly married, we spent a great deal of time talking about our future, including our desire to have children. In our own minds, we had analyzed and solved all of the child-rearing problems our friends and acquaintances were battling. We were going to have obedient, compliant children who never pitched a tantrum or embarrassed us in any way. They were going to be perfect children, because we knew how to be perfect parents . . .

Happy is the man

It is God’s design that having children and families be a joyful and wonderful thing. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them” (Psalm 127:3-5). That seems straightforward enough. But you may not be surprised to hear that my wife and I have learned a few things over the past few decades. We were not perfect parents, and parenthood didn’t turn out exactly how we had envisioned it in our idealistic youth. However, there are some timeless biblical principles we picked up along the way that apply to every family and every culture. Whether you have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of your baby for years or whether the news of your pregnancy came as a complete shock, nearly everyone starts out with the same goal. We all want to be good parents! Let’s look at a few positive parenting principles we can glean from the Bible.

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Teach your children about God

Let’s start with the most basic and fundamental thing we can possibly do—teach our children about God. Our experiences in early childhood impact the rest of our lives. So it is easy to see why teaching our children—from an early age—about God, His laws and His purpose for our lives is so important. Children need a strong spiritual foundation. Wise King Solomon wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). He understood the principle that what we learn as children tends to stay with us as we go into adulthood. As adults, our tendency is to fall back on the patterns we saw as children. And our proclivity is to live by the same principles of faith (or lack thereof) we saw when we were children. God inspired Moses to teach the Israelites to make sure instructions from and about their Creator were a foundational part of family life. In Deuteronomy 4:1 Moses told the people to “listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you.” A few verses later he wrote, “And teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (verse 9). He repeated this in Deuteronomy 6:2. How can we do this? Certainly, there is a place for more formal Bible studies with our children, but they are not the only way—or always the most effective way—to teach our children about God. The picture Moses gives is of a family living life and talking about God and His ways “when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (verse 7). This teaching is to be simply a part of the normal pattern of how we live. If it is important to moms and dads, they will find many opportunities to talk about what is true, right and pure in God’s eyes.

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As parents, most of us know there are windows of opportunity when our children are receptive to learning a particular lesson. We need to look for or, when possible, create those precious windows, to both show and teach our children the way to live. Spending quality time—and as much time as possible—with our children helps us find and create those marvelous teachable moments.

Set a positive example

There is an old maxim about actions speaking louder than words—and it is very true! If we teach our children that they need to be honest and truthful, but they see us lying, what can we expect them to learn to do? The parenting strategy of “do as I say, not as I do” just won’t work. Children are incredible little mimics. Several years ago, country singer Rodney Atkins released a song titled “Watching You.” The lyrics describe a little boy and his dad, and how the little boy deliberately followed the example of his dad—whether good or bad. It is something for us parents to consider! Many years ago, I remember being in a large crowd with a number of families I didn’t know. One woman was talking with several other women, standing with her hand on her hip and one leg slightly in front of the other. It was not hard to figure out who her daughter was, because just a few feet away was a little girl of about 5 or 6, posed exactly as her mother was. No doubt the little girl had seen and studied her mom’s stance, and she repeated it precisely. Both of my boys are grown young men now, but I still see little mannerisms in them that I know came from me. They may not know why, but for better or worse, they copied me. That is how God designed it to be—that children will absorb the example of their parents. The apostle Paul gave some instructions to Titus in his ministry that are also important for us as parents. “Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity” (Titus 2:7, God’s Word Translation). What do our children see in how we speak to or about others? Are we setting an example of integrity, faithfulness and honesty? Is our word our bond? Do our children ever see us praying or studying the Bible?

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Do they see us applying biblical principles to how we choose to live? They should! Never ignore or underestimate the power of your example.

Administer loving discipline

The word discipline almost always brings negative images to mind of punishment or having privileges removed. Those things may be part of the process, but discipline should be so much more. One of the definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary is “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.” Rules have a purpose, and isn’t teaching our children how to behave and get along well with others one of the primary goals of a parent? Rules (often called laws when we are adults) are a part of the fabric of life. Children need to understand that concept from the beginning. So, set fair rules. Boundaries are a key to success and harmony in the family. Children instinctively want to know where their boundaries are, and while they may chafe at some of them, they will feel more secure knowing there are limits. We always want to keep our children safe, especially when they are too young to recognize many dangers. As parents, we must set rules for our children’s safety, such as: • Don’t play in the street. • Don’t play with electrical outlets. • Don’t get in a car with strangers. And there are rules that need to be established for the well-being of the household, such as: • Put your toys away when you are done. • Empty your trash can. • Help clear the table after dinner. We base our rules on the ages and abilities of our children, starting basic and simple, and gradually increasing what we ask as they get older. This way, they learn responsibility, as well as skills they will need when they are grown and taking care of their own homes.

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is crucial. It is far too easy to

May/June 2022

point out bad behavior, but then just smile to ourselves when our children do something good. It is important our children get more attention for good behavior than for bad! When they do what you’ve asked, be quick to give a compliment. If they go above and beyond (they not only cleared the table, but also washed the dishes), be lavish withyour praise! Mark Twain once said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” It is important for our children to hear compliments and praise from us.

Fair rules and fair consequences

However, they won’t always do what is right, and this is where correction and punishment must come in. Solomon wrote, “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:17). When a rule is clearly explained, and maybe a reminder given, disobedience needs to be followed with punishment appropriate for the offense and the age of the child. It is for his or her good! Paul advised, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). God is not saying that we should never do anything to make our children upset. We are to love them, teach them and be fair in all we do. In doing that, godly parents will make sure that with fair rules also come fair consequences. There is never a time to be cruel in correction. No matter what they’ve done or how we have to respond, our children should never doubt that we love them! Don’t fall into the trap of making empty threats or threatening something you would never be willing to do. Revoking your child’s TV privileges for an afternoon may be reasonable, but selling the TV is probably not. If children learn that consequences are not always carried out, they lose respect for the rule and the parent.

Discipline and the missing door

I know the story of a young man who would run to his room and slam the bedroom door when he was angry with his parents. It was disrespectful and also damaging to the door and door frame.

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Dad let him know that if the door was slammed again, it would be removed. Within a few days the door was slammed again, and Dad quietly got up and removed the door. After a few days, the boy not only apologized for his behavior, but promised not to slam it again if he could have his door back. He knew his parents were fair, but they meant what they said. And the door was not slammed again!

Natural consequences vs. overprotective parents

In our zeal to protect our children, it is natural to want to step in and prevent consequences for bad behavior. But we must ask, does such overprotective parenting really help our children and teach the right lessons? Several teachers I’ve talked to have stories of parents storming up to the school to defend their children and object to a poor grade or loss of privileges or afterschool detention. Though it’s important that our children know we “have their backs” in situations where they really need protection, much of the time we need to let the natural consequences of their actions take place. Our children need to learn to respect authority, learn from correction and even deal with unfair judgments. Natural consequences are necessary for our children to learn to deal with the realities of life.

Parenting—imperfect but positive

The ability to have and raise children is a miracle and an enriching experience. My wife and I did not turn out to be the perfect parents we had planned to be, and the job was more challenging than we could have imagined. If there were “do-overs” in life, there would be many things we would like to change. There is so much we have learned! Your children’s temperament and personality may require some adjustments to what I’ve shared here. You may have to guide your children slightly differently than other parents guide their children. But I believe you’ll find these basic biblical principles to be timeless and beneficial to your family and your precious children. Learn more in the articles in the “Practical Tips for Positive Parenting” section of Life, Hope & Truth. —Tom Clark

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Dads are a disappearing and often disrespected resource. But what do studies, statistics and Scripture tell us about why dads are important?

Why Are Dads Important? Fathers on TV

Have you noticed that on advertisements and even in the content of television programs, dads are increasingly portrayed as weak, clueless and seriously lacking in intelligence? Or as mean bullies? These characterizations seem to make dads of little value to the family. And in real life, some dads leave completely. In fact, in 2018, more than 1 in 4 kids in the United States lived in a home without a dad. What is wrong with this picture? Are dads important? And, if so, why are they important?

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Role of a good father

All the way back at the beginning, God told man and woman that when they started their family, a man was to leave his father and mother and begin a new family unit with his wife (Genesis 2:24). God also encouraged them to add children to the family (1:28). Proverbs 5:18 admonishes men to rejoice with the wife of their youth, indicating a long-term, happy relationship that can include grandchildren (Proverbs 17:6) and that goes all the way into old age. Nice picture of a happy family, right? And God goes further and tells dads (and moms) to bring up children in the instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) and to do it from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night (Deuteronomy 6:7). Psalm 103:13 speaks of the compassion a father has for his children, and we see the prodigal son’s dad forgiving him and welcoming him back with open arms when he came to his senses and repented (Luke 15:11-32; see our article “The Prodigal Son: Parable With Overlooked Meaning”).

May/June 2022

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t’s one of my favorite pictures. It captured a line of dads and uncles talking at the back of our church hall—most with babies in their arms! To me, this photo speaks of their care and nurturing and involvement in the lives of the tiny people they are holding. Unfortunately, in our culture, this snapshot is an anomaly.

The picture God paints of a loving dad is one who is compassionate, loves his children, actively guides his children, forgives his children and cherishes his children. This is not the same weak, clueless, sillyheaded, mean or absent dad that popular culture wants to portray.

The importance of a father in child development With just a brief search online, you will find article after article and study after study that support how important involved and loving dads are in the lives of children. According to Claire Lerner in an article titled “The Daddy Factor: The Crucial Impact of Fathers on Young Children’s Development,” this impact starts all the way back at the prenatal stage. According to “5 Things You Should Know About the Importance of Fathers,” research at the University of Texas shows that children with involved and loving dads are 39 percent more likely to earn mostly As in school, 45 percent less likely to have to repeat a grade and twice as likely to go to college and be successfully employed afterwards. The study also shows children are 60 percent less likely to be suspended or expelled, 75 percent less likely to bear a child in their teens and 80 percent less likely to spend time in jail. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the benefits: increased cognitive and academic performance, better language skills, confidence, impulse control, higher selfesteem, fewer mental health issues such as depression, better social choices, stronger social connections with peers, empathy—and the list could go on. In the blog post “The Important Role of Dad,” Dr. Gail Gross says, “Your child’s primary relationship with his/ her father can affect all of your child’s relationships from birth to death . . . Those early patterns of interaction with father are the very patterns that will be projected forward into all relationships . . . forever more: not only your child’s intrinsic idea of who he/she is as he/she relates to others, but also, the range of what your child considers acceptable and loving.” So, yes, dads are important!

Why dads are important to moms

But so what? Why is this important to me? I am not a dad. First, this is important to me because I am a mom.

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And I want my kids to have every advantage I can give them. Having a great dad involved in their lives gives them many advantages that will make their lives so much better. Second, it helps to have someone share the load of raising kids. One of the advantages of having an involved dad that several of the studies mentioned is that it helps moms. Moms can be better at mothering if dads are successfully fathering. Specifically mentioned was a reduction in stress. (Wouldn’t we all love that!) And, third, we as moms have the ability either to facilitate and encourage the father-child relationship or, sadly, to poison and tear down that relationship. We must make sure we wield that power very carefully. Speaking very plainly, it is wrong to tear down a dad to his children. We all have the ability to support and encourage dads—our own, our spouse, our brother, our friend.

Our Heavenly Father

Here is one more thing to consider. All of the amazing things about dads that we have talked about apply far more to someone else as well—God. He calls Himself our Father and calls us His children. He is compassionate, loves His children, actively guides His children, forgives His children and cherishes His children. The god of this world does not want you to believe that. Satan the devil would like you to believe that our amazing Heavenly Father is either weak and detached or mean and overbearing. Satan has fooled so many people into believing that God isn’t or shouldn’t be involved in our lives. It’s the same playbook he uses to attack our physical dads. Let’s face it, if your relationship with your physical dad is not good, doesn’t it make it more difficult to have a relationship with and trust a Dad—a Father—that you cannot see? What a clever tool Satan has used. Whether you are a dad or you know a dad, fatherhood deserves another respectful look. Are good dads important? Yes, they are important and vital to the health and well-being of both our physical and our spiritual families. I cherish my picture of the dads in our congregation. They are the kind of dads that raise healthy children. What a wonderful blessing to all of us! —Mary Clark

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One of God’s most amazing creations is the role of a mother. A mother’s influence helps shape her children and has a profound impact on their future.

The Importance of Mothers

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hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34).

The mother of all living

After God had made the plants and animals, He made Adam. But He informed Adam that he was incomplete. He needed a companion. That companion, who was to be the mother of all human life (Genesis 3:20), was not made from the dust like Adam, but from the very flesh and bone of the first man. In doing so, God illustrated what an important role women, wives and mothers are to play in the fulfillment of His plan for humankind.

The mother of my children gave me balance

My wife and I were blessed with four wonderful children—a son and three daughters. As a man and a father, I found my wife often helped me see things from a different perspective.

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n the spring on our farm, we’d usually find one or two mother hens leading their babies around, scratching in the grass for bugs and teaching them how to find their daily meals. One warm day, as I stood in the shade of an old red oak tree watching a young hen with her dozen or so small chicks, the peaceful scene was suddenly disrupted by the headlong dive of a red-tailed hawk, snatching one of her fuzzy chicks. As the hawk rose into the air clutching the little one in its talons, the mother hen also went airborne, striking the hawk from behind and forcing it to drop the chick as it flew away. This attack by a mother hen to save one of her babies reminds me of the protective and loving nature most all mothers have for their offspring. Jesus Christ used such an example to express His desire to love and protect the people of Jerusalem: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a

I owe what balance I have to the counsel and example of the mother of my children, and I sorely miss her. There is no love among humans that can match or exceed that of the unconditional love of a mother. When our daughters were married and began to have their babies, my wife would always travel to be with them for the first week or two. It was just natural for her to fulfill the exhortation Paul wrote Titus (Titus 2:3-4). One afternoon we got a call from one of our daughters more than a thousand miles away who had been struck with a major crisis in her life. Without hesitation, my wife said, “We’ve got to go.” In less than 24 hours we had purchased tickets and were on the plane headed out to be with her.

A mother provides security

Certainly, a father is to be protector and provider for his family, but in a child’s early years, it is the mother who first fills that role. I was talking to a young couple recently who had just a few weeks earlier become parents of a little baby girl. The mother was holding a basket with her eight-weekold baby as we talked. During the whole conversation, that little one’s eyes were focused on her. How trustingly she looked to her mother for all her needs! No one has more influence on the psychological development of a child in the first years of life than the mother. She is the baby’s security, comforter, nurturer and provider. A father can also be these—and certainly can support the mother in her role—but sometimes it is only later that children see the role the father also plays in all of this—that it is a team effort. (I was touched when one of my daughters recently said that I made her feel safe as she went through her teen years.)

A mother is a role model and teacher

It was heartwarming to me and comforting to our children when my wife rocked each of our babies, singing softly to them, in the months following their birth. This was followed very shortly by her reading to them from some of the children’s books we kept on hand. This helped them to become avid readers themselves, and they have passed that love of reading and learning on to their children. A mother’s role as a teacher in the family is frequently mentioned in the Bible.

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Timothy became a faithful teacher of the Word of God, and much of that is attributed to his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). • Mary, a woman of character, was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah (Matthew 1:16). • In the wisdom book of Proverbs, the importance of a mother’s teaching is extolled. “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8). Proverbs speaks often of the role of a mother as a teacher in the family. One of the primary themes of this book is the seeking of wisdom. Early chapters personify wisdom as a woman. “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her” (Proverbs 3:13-18). A wise mother brings many of the same things into the family and lives of her children. Many other verses in this book declare the importance of the mother sharing in the role of teaching the children.

The continuing importance of mothers

A godly mother teaches her daughters how to be wives and mothers. She sets an example of supporting her husband, their father. By her words and example she also teaches her sons how to treat all women with love and respect, not as sex objects. The unconditional love and nurturing in those first years and afterward have such a powerful impact on her children’s character and personality. I would not want to see what this world would be like if there were only men! God created and highly values the role of mother. Eight times the Bible repeats the command to honor your mother. And God Himself said, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13). What could be more important than that? For more on the importance of mothers, see our blog post “A World Without Mothers.” —Bruce Gore

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As this issue goes out, the Feast of Pentecost is rapidly approaching. This Christian holy day has important meanings that continue to be relevant today. May/June 2022

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5 Reasons Why You Should Observe Pentecost

ust over seven weeks from the anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion, another important biblical celebration is found on the calendar of Christians who are striving to follow the original, unaltered Christianity of the first century. This special day is a holy day of God, often called the Feast of Weeks in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, it is called Pentecost.

When is Pentecost 2022?

This year, Pentecost occurs on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Will you be observing this special celebration that was an integral observance of the early Christians? If you haven’t decided, consider these five vital reasons you should. 1. Observing Pentecost reminds you how the Christian Church began. In the years leading up to the first Pentecost after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the followers of Christ looked like simply another sect of Judaism. The Jewish religion already included the two major sects of the Sadducees and Pharisees, plus a number of other smaller groups, each with its own variation of beliefs. The early Christians worshipped on Saturday, kept the annual holy days God had established in the Old Testament, didn’t eat pork and met in the synagogues with the Jews. So, to the outside world, Christians were just another variation of Judaism. The one major distinction was that Christians believed that Jesus was the Son of God—the promised Messiah. But the Jews argued and fought among themselves over a lot of religious perspectives. Thus, to outsiders, disputes over Jesus’ identity wouldn’t have seemed all that important. The Day of Pentecost in A.D. 31 began the process that would eventually change this perception of Christianity forever. This eventful day launched the New Testament Christian Church. Although believers still met with Jews in the synagogues for a number of years, the Church of God from this point forward clearly had its own identity. The promise Jesus had made to establish His Church began with the miraculous assistance of the Holy Spirit—the power of God Himself. To learn more about how the world was prepared for the establishment of the Church of God, read “Church History: The Beginning.”

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2. Observing Pentecost reminds you of the coming

of the Holy Spirit. In the days leading up to Pentecost in A.D. 31, the resurrected Jesus had appeared to His disciples and told them that He would send them “the Promise of My Father.” To receive this “Promise,” they were to wait in Jerusalem until they were “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Clarifying to His disciples just what this “Promise of the Father” was, Jesus explained, “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5). Although God had given His Holy Spirit to a few individuals in the Old Testament (Nehemiah 9:30; Psalm 51:11; 1 Peter 1:10-11), it was not widely available to all who served God. Through the prophet Joel, God had proclaimed, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). This prophecy began to be fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost in A.D. 31. Jesus’ followers who had assembled in Jerusalem to observe this annual holy day suddenly heard a sound like a rushing wind, saw tongues as of fire resting on each of them and were filled with the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they then began to speak in other languages. As for what these miraculous events meant, God inspired Peter to explain that this was the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy about people receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14-21). 3. Observing Pentecost reminds you to allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. The miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit was on full display on Pentecost in A.D. 31. The visible manifestation of the Spirit on believers and their ability to speak in other languages astounded those who were present. In addition to these outward evidences of God’s Spirit, what was equally amazing was the change that having the Holy Spirit made upon Jesus’ followers. Peter, one of Jesus’ specially chosen disciples, had only weeks earlier denied three times even knowing His Master (Matthew 26:69-75). Now, filled with the Holy Spirit, “Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice” and boldly began to explain to the crowd what had just occurred (Acts 2:14).

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In his sermon, Peter cited Joel’s prophecy about the coming of the Holy Spirit and then addressed the additional questions that many likely had. Why did some people who were present—apparently only Jesus’ followers—receive the Holy Spirit while others did not? And how could those who did not receive the Holy Spirit likewise obtain this supernatural power? Peter explained to the largely Jewish crowd that Jesus was the Son of God. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (verse 36). Pricked in their consciences because of their sinful conduct, which included their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and as their Lord, the people wanted to know what they should do. “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ . . . Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them [the disciples who had earlier received the Holy Spirit]” (verses 38, 41). This advice still rings true today. You, too, can receive the Holy Spirit to empower you to serve God if you likewise repent of your sins and are baptized. This Spirit can produce godly fruit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23), identify you as belonging to God (Romans 8:9) and guarantee your change into spirit at Christ’s return (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). If you already have God’s Spirit, observing the Day of Pentecost reminds you to allow this amazing gift to work in your life. To learn more about God’s expectations of you, read “The Sermon That Launched the Church.” 4. Observing Pentecost with others reminds you that God can do powerful works through His Church. Demonstrations of the power of God’s Spirit were not limited to the Day of Pentecost. A short time later, a man who was lame from birth was miraculously healed by Peter and John (Acts 3:1-10). Brought before the Jewish religious authorities to explain this miracle and his teaching about Jesus, Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for

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a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole’” (Acts 4:8-10). Peter, who had only weeks before been afraid to acknowledge to these authorities that he knew Jesus, was now powerfully countering their attempts to squelch Christianity. Instead of following the command of the religious leaders to stop talking about Jesus, the disciples gathered and prayed that they might, “with all boldness,” speak God’s word (verse 29). “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (verse 31). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s representatives powerfully preached the gospel of the Kingdom. In spite of the opposition against it, the Church of God was established throughout the Roman Empire. The Church of God, a Worldwide Association—a continuation of the Church established on the Day of Pentecost in A.D. 31—preaches the same gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus, His disciples and the firstcentury Church taught. To learn how this Church operates and how you can become part of its mission to preach this original message of Jesus to the world, see the booklet Welcome to the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. 5. God commands observance of this holy day. If you aren’t already convinced to observe the Day of Pentecost, here’s the clincher. God commands you to do so. Leviticus 23 says the feasts of the Lord are “holy convocations”—sacred assemblies. And speaking specifically of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost in the New Testament), God says that this day “is a holy convocation to you” (verse 21). The Church of God, a Worldwide Association, is planning to hold services on this day in its congregations around the world. Go to cogwa.org/ congregations to find a location near you and contact the pastor for times and addresses. —David Treybig

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From Pentecost to . . . Pentecostalism? A popular religious movement calls itself Pentecostal. But does this movement accurately reflect what occurred on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2?

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he second chapter of Acts records the momentous events that occurred on the Feast of Pentecost when God gave His Holy Spirit to the disciples. That Pentecost was an extremely important day. Not only was God’s Spirit given, but it marked the beginning of the Church Jesus had promised to build (Matthew 16:18). But the word Pentecost has taken on a different meaning to millions of people because of a religious movement that often identifies itself as Pentecostal. This movement, one of the fastest growing in the world in the latter half of the 20th century, claims to be a modern continuation of the Acts 2 Pentecost.

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But does modern Pentecostalism really reflect the spirit of the biblical Day of Pentecost?

What is Pentecostalism?

Pentecostalism is based on the belief that the miracles of Acts 2 are signs that all people with the Holy Spirit must experience. Pentecostals believe that “baptism of the Spirit” is evidenced by experiencing specific gifts. The movement is also called charismatic Christianity. The primary gift Pentecostals seek is tonguesspeaking, or glossolalia. Speaking in tongues is seen as being moved by the Holy Spirit to speak words or sounds that are claimed to be unlearned human

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languages or the language of angels and therefore unintelligible. Pentecostals also try to seek other “gifts” of the Spirit, such as: • Prophesying (seen as spontaneously speaking emotionally driven words believed to be inspired by God). • Faith healing (spontaneous physical healings of bodily ailments). • Ongoing revelation (God speaking or implanting thoughts into people’s minds). • Spontaneous displays of emotion supposedly prompted by the Holy Spirit (including laughing, crying, shouting and uncontrolled outbursts of energy). • Being “slain in the Spirit” (an experience where a believer is “seized” by the Holy Spirit and falls backward into a trancelike state). The key word in these experiences is spontaneous. This approach has led many Pentecostal churches to reject structured and organized church services, instead offering unstructured and emotionally driven services where literally anything can occur at any given time. This includes shouting from the audience, standing at one’s seat with arms raised in the air, uncontrolled gyrating and dancing, and participants being whipped up into various states of emotional euphoria and frenzy. Pentecostal meetings vary widely from church to church and even from service to service. A significant trend in modern Christianity is what one commentator called “the Pentecostalization of Protestant Christianity.” Denominations that were formerly more structured and traditional are transforming themselves by integrating aspects of charismatic worship to appeal to the growing number of people who desire these kinds of experiences.

Does Pentecostalism replicate the Acts 2 Pentecost?

But is Pentecostalism an accurate reflection of what occurred in Acts 2? Let’s examine what miracles actually occurred: Divine wind and fire. The giving of God’s Spirit was announced with the sound “as of a rushing mighty wind” and what Luke, the author, described as

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something like “tongues, as of fire,” resting upon them (verses 2-3). God used these displays to dramatically emphasize the magnitude of His Spirit. Both wind and fire are forces that physically represent the power of the Holy Spirit. The miracle of tongues. This miracle allowed men whose native tongue was Aramaic to communicate to people who spoke an assortment of languages without ever being trained in these languages, including Persian, Akkadian, Greek, Latin, Egyptian and Arabic (verses 5-11). The apostles didn’t utter unintelligible languages. They were empowered to speak understandable languages so that “everyone heard them speak in his own language” (verse 6). The miracle was in the speaking and hearing. The purpose of the tongues was simple: to miraculously get the attention of the diverse crowd and allow them to understand the apostles’ words. To learn more about this miracle of tongues, read our online articles “What Is Speaking in Tongues?” and “What If I Can’t Speak in Tongues?” The miracle of prophesying. The apostles, especially Peter, were given the miracle of prophesying, which means speaking under God’s inspiration. Through God’s Spirit, he delivered an inspired message. It was so effective that many were “cut to the heart” (or convicted of their sins) and acted on its stirring call to repentance (verses 37-38). To learn more about it, read “The Sermon That Launched the Church.” The miracle of God’s calling. As a result of the inspired preaching, 3,000 people believed and were baptized (verses 38, 41). God specifically called these people (verse 39; John 6:44). Notice that these converts didn’t display any of the signs Pentecostals seek today. They didn’t start speaking in tongues themselves or have any other charismatic displays of emotion. What did they do? We are told they learned doctrine, fellowshipped, shared meals, prayed, were unified, cared for each other and were joyful (Acts 2:42-47). This may not seem as exciting as a Pentecostal experience. But it does represent the genuine experience of the people God truly calls.

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God’s unique pattern The significance of that day and these miracles cannot be overstated. But is Christianity about trying to duplicate the miracles of that Pentecost? When we study the Bible, we see God has certain patterns of working. One pattern is that when He begins His direct involvement in something important, He often does so in a dramatic way to make His presence absolutely clear. When He began working with Israel as a nation, He performed a number of unmistakable miracles to free them from Egypt and establish them in the land He had promised. He appeared to Moses in a flaming bush that never burned up. He brought 10 plagues on Egypt. He parted the Red Sea. He gave them nourishment in a desert. He stopped the flow of the Jordan River. But Israel didn’t continue experiencing these miracles over and over throughout their history. These were miracles done for a specific purpose at a unique time. Likewise, God began His Church through a series of dramatic miracles. A sound like wind blowing. Floating fire. Divine language translation. An inspired impromptu sermon. Tongues were also given at another important “first” in the Church’s history—when God first gave gentiles the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:46). Following this pattern, God began His work with the gentiles by giving this group the miraculous ability to speak other languages to make it clear to the Jews that He was involved and this was His will. Though the book of Acts records many other miracles, we don’t see anything exactly like that Pentecost being repeated. Tongues weren’t spoken every time an apostle spoke to a group. If the speaker and audience had a common language, there was no need for that miracle. The miracles of Acts 2 weren’t to be repeated throughout time—nor should we try to force God to replicate them or think they must occur as proof of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Incorrect interpretations of the Acts 2 miracles

But we also need to understand that many of the “signs” Pentecostals seek are very foreign to Acts 2 and the Bible.

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When they claim to speak in tongues, they are virtually always verbalizing meaningless jargon allegedly outside of their control. This is very different from the biblical use of tongues, which was specifically for breaking down language barriers between the apostles and a linguistically diverse group. Nowhere does the Bible describe Christians experiencing chaotic displays of emotion such as dancing down church aisles, falling backward into a trancelike state, or being worked up into an emotional frenzy. Let’s be absolutely clear: These displays of uncontrolled and chaotic emotionalism are not of God or gifts of the Holy Spirit. In reality, these displays simply showcase people’s ability to manipulate the emotions of others. Sadly, people can mistakenly confuse emotional feelings with a religious experience. Pentecostal and other emotionally based churches often use a combination of music, lighting and vocal inflection to influence human emotions. Very similar methods are used to stir the emotions of people at rock concerts. We caution our readers to be alert and careful of the allure of emotionally driven religious experiences. Understand that emotions are a powerful force that can be manipulated.

The real evidence of God’s Spirit

When studying the Acts 2 Pentecost, our focus should really be on applying the message of Acts 2:38—repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. True repentance isn’t a mere emotional experience, but a rational and intelligent commitment to changing our thinking and life direction. Baptism is the physical ceremony that represents burying our old sinful ways of life and beginning to live an entirely new way, by righteousness. The Holy Spirit is the power God gives us to live that converted life. The genuine evidence of God’s Spirit in a person’s life is the development of God’s spiritual character. God’s Spirit is given to people who genuinely strive to obey God (Acts 5:32). Sadly, obedience to God is not a theme many religions emphasize today. The true evidence of God’s Spirit is a changed life—a life where sin and selfishness are being replaced by righteousness, truth, love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

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kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol (Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:22-23). Did you notice that last one? Self-control. Losing control of oneself in an emotional experience that leads to unpredictable actions is the opposite of self-control. We should always maintain control of our thoughts, emotions, words and actions. As Paul wrote, “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:32-33). True servants of God maintain control of their human spirit and avoid uncontrolled and chaotic behavior. In addition to the fruit of the Spirit, the Bible also discusses gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are skills God gives to specific people to edify His Church (1 Corinthians 14:12). Reading through Paul’s listing of these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 shows they are not

emotionally driven or theatrical, but practical aptitudes essential for the Church to function.

The real lesson of Pentecost

The key takeaway of Pentecost is that Christians need God’s Holy Spirit. You cannot be a true Christian without it (Romans 8:14). But we must have a proper understanding of what God’s Holy Spirit is and its genuine impact on a Christian’s life. It is not a spirit that leads to the chaos of Pentecostalism, but “of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). What we need is the true spirit of Pentecost—not the empty counterfeit of Pentecostalism. To learn more about the true significance of Pentecost, read “What Does Pentecost Mean?” —Erik Jones

THE GROWTH OF THE PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT Pentecostalism is a relatively young religious fringe of, nearly every church and denomination of movement. Though various forms of charismatic modern Christianity. practices go back farther, modern Pentecostalism Elements of charismatic practices are originated at the Azusa Street Revival that especially found within the growing number of occurred in Los Angeles in the early 1900s, led by nondenominational churches springing up across a Methodist minister named William Seymour. the U.S. Since these churches (many considered Today it is one of the fastest-growing religious “megachurches” because of their size) are free from movements in the world. In 2020, 26 percent of denominational constraints, many have developed mainstream Christianity identified as Pentecostal their own unique brands of worship featuring in some form. Though its historical roots are in various elements of the charismatic movement. the U.S., it has experienced its biggest growth in Some of the most notable influences of the Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. charismatic movement on these groups are the Though there are some groups that identify as integration of contemporary praise music, handPentecostal, the movement isn’t limited to a single raising and more informal services that place a denomination or church. Various elements of heavy emphasis on emotion and experience. charismatic practices are found within, and on the —Erik Jones

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May/June 2022

If you have questions, submit them at

LifeHopeandTruth.com/ask-a-question/ A n s w e r s t o Yo u r B i b l i c a l Q u e s t i o n s

What are we supposed to do at Pentecost? We see two loaves of bread mentioned, and repenting and praying, but what outlines can we get from the Bible? Are there any special things that we need to do?

The festival of Pentecost is included in the plan of God to show the start of the New Testament Church and the giving of the Holy Spirit to the people God has chosen to be His own. We are told that the waving of the loaves in the Old Testament pictured something very special: “They are the firstfruits to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:17). The Church now is made up of people that God calls His firstfruits. We see that in several scriptures in the New Testament: • “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4, emphasis added throughout). • “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:18). Ancient Israel would have seen the ceremony of waving the loaves as a gesture of thankfulness for their harvest. We understand the spiritual intent that God is reaping a small harvest today by calling people into His Church. Pentecost is an annual holy day, so we do not do our regular work on that day. The prescribed thing we are to do is also discussed in Leviticus 23. “And you shall proclaim on the same day that it is a holy convocation to you. You shall do no customary work on it. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations” (verse 21). A convocation is a gathering or an assembly, and so we attend church services on that day. We bring ourselves (the firstfruits) into His assembly, listen to messages about the meaning of Pentecost and thank God for the gift of His Holy Spirit and His Church.

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Take the time to read some of our material about Pentecost, such as “3 Ways Pentecost Shows Us the Future.” These helpful insights will deepen your understanding of this special festival.

Q: A:

I need to know more about parenting.

Parenting is a very important topic to learn more about! We recommend you explore the articles in the “Parenting” section of our website, especially: • “Parenting Advice.” • “Raising Children.” • “Helping Our Children Grow.” • “How to Help Your Children Build a Relationship With God.” At the bottom of each article you’ll find a list of related articles. Please let us know if you have further questions about any of our resources or biblical topics.

Q: A:

What original part of the Bible was written by God Himself?

If you are asking what was actually inscribed by God, the only thing we know of are the two tablets of stone on which God wrote the 10 Commandments (Exodus 24:12). For the Bible, God used human instruments to record the books as He inspired them. The apostle Paul affirmed that all Scripture was given by the direct inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). That means it all came directly from the mind of God. It is the mind of God in print! If you’d like to look into the writing and preservation of the Bible, please read: • “Who Wrote the Bible?” • “The Power of the Word of God, God’s Instruction Manual.” • “The Uniqueness of the Bible.”

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What does Bible prophecy say about end-time economic conditions? How might today’s inflation and economic instability lead toward those conditions?

May/June 2022

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Inflation, Economic Instability and Bible Prophecy

esus said that before His return there would be wars and rumors of wars, famines and disease epidemics (Matthew 24:6-7)—disasters that can destroy people’s lives and livelihoods and damage the world’s economy. The book of Revelation prophesies a powerful yet sinister economic system that will control most of the world’s trade and produce great wealth (Revelation 18:9-19). But this system will not mean wealth for everyone. It will restrict true Christians, who will not accept the “mark of the beast,” from even being able to buy or sell (13:16-17). Not only that, this system will actually enslave some people. Ultimately, however, this system’s vast wealth will not spare it from its just punishment for sin. Eventually, people will recognize that no human form of wealth—whether it be paper money, cryptocurrency or even precious metals—will protect them from “the day of the Lord’s wrath” (Zephaniah 1:18). After man’s best efforts to create a stable and affluent economy have utterly failed, Jesus Christ will establish the Kingdom of God on the earth. His government will bring the prosperity, economic stability and sustainable growth humanity has longed for (Isaiah 9:7; Micah 4:1-4). In the light of these Bible prophecies, what is the world’s economic condition now, and how might it lead toward the fulfillment of these prophecies?

Inflation news

After decades when much of the world enjoyed low inflation, the scourge of spiraling prices has reappeared. Though the Bible doesn’t mention the economic term inflation, the curse of decreasing purchasing power is poignantly described by Haggai: “He who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes” (Haggai 1:6). Inflation today was kick-started by the pandemic and governments’ efforts to stimulate their economies. It has also been fueled by wars and rumors of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. BBC reported after Russia invaded Ukraine, “Inflation, which measures how fast the cost of living rises over time, hit 7.5% in January in the US—the highest level seen there since February 1982—and rose by 5.5% in the UK.

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“But it could hit close to 10% in major Western economies if the cost of energy and food is pushed up by dwindling supplies caused by the Russian-Ukraine conflict, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research.” BBC noted that this might push central banks to increase interest rates, the traditional tool for fighting inflation. But higher interest rates create their own pain. In the U.K., for example, “about 2.2 million homeowners with mortgages linked to the Bank of England’s base rate would see repayments go up, putting further pressure on household budgets that are already being squeezed by the cost of living.” What will be In the end, God the results of will clear up Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? the deception In its Feb. 26, and reveal this 2022, edition, wealthy but evil The Economist predicted: system for what it “The is—a counterfeit immediate of God’s Kingdom, global implications based on greed will be higher and selfishness inflation, lower and under the growth and some disruption influence of Satan to financial the devil.” markets as deeper sanctions take hold. The longer-term fallout will be a further debilitation of the system of globalised supply chains and integrated financial markets that has dominated the world economy since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.” An earlier Economist piece, titled “Workers Have the Most to Lose From a Wage-Price Spiral,” noted that inflation can quickly become a vicious cycle. “The longer inflation is too high, the more painful it could be to bring it back down. The wage-price

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spirals of the 1970s were contained only after tight monetary policy induced a global downturn in which American unemployment peaked at nearly 11%. If central bankers once again have to induce recessions to restore their credibility on inflation, workers will pay the price for that, too.” Can recession be avoided? Stephanie Flanders highlighted some experts’ pessimistic reactions in Businessweek: “‘My fear is that we are already reaching a point where it will be challenging to reduce inflation without giving rise to recession,’ said former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers . . . “Plenty of others have joined Summers in the peanut gallery taking shots at the Fed, among them economist and Bloomberg columnist Mohamed El-Erian, who rates the Fed’s ‘transitory’ line on inflation ‘probably the worst inflation call in the history of the Federal Reserve’” (Jan. 11, 2022).

Hyperinflation fears

Inflation can be especially bad when it is unpredictable or out of control. Germany in particular retains a strong aversion to inflation related to its experience with hyperinflation in the aftermath of World War I. BBC published examples of how hyperinflation affected the people of Germany: • “Prices ran out of control, for example a loaf of bread, which cost 250 marks in January 1923, had risen to 200,000 million marks in November 1923. • “By autumn 1923 it cost more to print a note than the note was worth. • “During the crisis, workers were often paid twice per day because prices rose so fast their wages were virtually worthless by lunchtime.” Hyperinflation was most damaging to people on fixed incomes, and those who had savings or had loaned money soon discovered their money was worthless. Hyperinflation isn’t just a thing of the past. Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Lebanon have experienced very high inflation rates in recent years. Though hyperinflation may not be a high risk for Western nations, its specter still strikes fear and can influence the economic course of nations. It reminds

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us why people might throw their money in the streets (Ezekiel 7:19).

Debt distress

More immediate than hyperinflation are the effects of a crushing burden of debt. During the pandemic, governments around the world poured money into preventing “another Great Depression, but they have also pushed up debt levels. In 2020, we observed the largest one-year debt surge since the second world war, with global debt—both public and private—rising to $226 trillion,” wrote Kristalina Georgieva, International Monetary Fund managing director, Feb. 16, 2022. “We estimate that about 60 percent of low-income countries are in or at high risk of debt distress, double 2015 levels.” It’s not just the low-income nations, though. Wealthy nations, including the United States, are deeply indebted. God warned that people who rejected His laws would become debtors at the mercy of lenders (Deuteronomy 28:44; Proverbs 22:7). See more in our article “Is a U.S. Economic Collapse Coming?”

Economic volatility and instability

Each wave of war and rumor of war, each variant of the coronavirus, each disaster can send the financial markets into another roller coaster ride. The inevitable but unpredictable clashes of rising and waning superpowers can also send the markets into a tizzy. Even new technologies can shake the economy. The Financial Times reported, “The emergence of digital currencies, both private and official, is shaking up domestic and international finance. This will yield many benefits but some things will remain much the same. There are risks, too, with developing economies potentially finding themselves on the wrong side of a widening global financial divide . . . “New technologies spawned by the cryptocurrency revolution are making cheaper and practically instantaneous payment and settlement of transactions feasible” (“Digital Currencies Carry Threats as Well as Promises,” Feb. 14, 2022). Many nations are jealous of the United States’ domination of the global financial system, and some

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are chafing under American sanctions. The dollar’s role as the reserve currency and U.S. influence over the SWIFT banking transaction system will continue to come under attack. Could a digital version of the Chinese currency make inroads? The Financial Times noted, “The prospect of a digital renminbi being available worldwide has heightened concerns (or excitement) about the dollar finally receiving its comeuppance.” Currently, the methods of getting around SWIFT have economic costs, and no currency is yet poised to be the natural successor to the dollar. But with the rapid pace of innovation, things could change rapidly. Cryptocurrencies have been notoriously volatile. Still, recent events in Turkey show that “even a volatile cryptocurrency might be preferred to the local currency at times of economic turmoil” (The Financial Times). Who knows what autocratic governments and financial innovators may develop? With all the pain and difficulty caused by economic instability, people can be willing to give up some level of freedom in order to ensure more stability and less volatility. It seems the Bible describes such a scenario in the end times.

The end-time Babylon and the mark of the beast

As we saw at the beginning of this article, Jesus’ Olivet Prophecy predicted wars, rumors of wars and famines (Matthew 24:6-7). Revelation 6:5-8 tells about a time of scarcity and hunger illustrated with “extraordinarily high” prices for basic foods (NKJV Study Bible note on Revelation 6:5-6). But in the midst of this, an economic powerhouse will bring stability and prosperity to Europe and many of its trading partners. Revelation 18 describes a wealthy and powerful trading empire in the tradition of ancient Babylon. John’s original readers would have also recognized the glories of the Roman Empire in his description of this power. In order to buy and sell and enjoy the economic benefits of this system, the Bible tells us people must receive “the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:17). People will be deceived by miracles (verse 13) and swayed by the financial benefits to accept this mark. (Study more

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about this in our articles “Mark of the Beast” and “666: The Number of the Beast.”) However, the prosperity will not be enjoyed by everyone. Among the merchandise for sale will be the “bodies and souls of men” (Revelation 18:13)— end-time slaves. And those who reject the mark of the beast will be persecuted and excluded from the financial system. In the end, God will clear up the deception and reveal this wealthy but evil system for what it is—a counterfeit of God’s Kingdom, based on greed and selfishness and under the influence of Satan the devil. In its place, Jesus Christ will set up the real Kingdom of God—based on love and giving and the true worship of our gracious Creator. The Bible is full of prophecies of the abundance and peace this Kingdom will bring. No longer will nations and peoples bear the burden of inflation, hyperinflation or debt. No longer will the economy wildly fluctuate. Volatility and instability will be replaced by stability and blessings. Learn more about this future Millennium of peace in our booklet The World to Come: What It Will Be Like.

How to deal with financial worries

What does God advise us to do in these times of economic instability? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged us to pray for God to “give us this day our daily bread” and for God’s Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10-11). In the meantime, we are to store our most important treasures—our spiritual treasures—in heaven, where inflation and economic loss won’t occur (verses 19-21). And we are encouraged not to worry about physical things, but to put first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (verses 31-33). Read more about this section of Scripture in our article “Do Not Worry About Your Life” and related articles. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t also strive to follow wise economic principles presented in the Bible. Learn more about these in the articles in our section on “Foundational Principles for Managing Family Finances.” To study more about the end-time economic conditions, see our article “What Is the Future of the World Economy?” —Mike Bennett

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CHRISTIANITY IN PROGRESS

When God Is Silent We deeply desire God’s answers to our prayers, but we often wonder when or how He will respond. What do we do when it seems God is silent?

he Old Testament ends abruptly. After generations of consistent messengers sent by God, the text leaves readers with a cliff-hanger of a vision. Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, foretells a coming day that will burn like an oven (Malachi 4:1). The people of God are enjoined to remember the law, statutes and judgments given by God through Moses (verse 4). Then Malachi closes with an impressive prophetic vision: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (verses 5-6). Like other inspired prophecies, this one is direct, compelling and, frankly, a bit ominous. But what comes next for the people of God is even more discomforting. Nothing. Silence. Silence for almost 400 years. After Malachi’s closing words, the inspired prophets who had routinely brought God’s direct word,

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instruction and message of hope vanished from the scene. Weeks, months, years and generations came and went. God seemed to go dark. Quiet. Silent. This period came to be known as the silent years, or the 400 years of silence. The long silence likely proved frustrating and perplexing for those who held out hope and conviction about God’s promises. That palpable stress can be felt individually in our lives too. How do we, as Christians, handle the apparent silence of God?

Told to talk

Christians are, after all, told to talk to God. Paul encouraged, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, emphasis added throughout). Christians are directed to communicate with God. Jesus plainly instructed His disciples to take their needs, desires and concerns to the Father in prayer (John 16:23-26). On His last Passover before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus pointed His disciples toward a future when they would pray regularly to God. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything

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in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14). God openly encourages Christians to engage in direct, frequent communication with Him. It seems clear that God desires to hear from His children. For a more in-depth examination of how to pray, download our free How to Pray study guide.

Expecting a response

Jesus asserts that one who prays to God should pray expecting a response. “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). The psalmist’s approach should be a Christian’s approach. “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). When praying for help, deliverance, guidance, blessing, intervention or anything else, Christians are to pray with expectant, faithful hearts—expecting God to answer. Jesus reassures us, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24). Elsewhere, Christ makes it clear that He was not granting a blank check to fill intemperate requests or selfishly motivated desires. Instead, Christ cautions that our requests should align with the will of God and should not be motivated by personal greed (Luke 22:42; James 4:3). Read our online article “What It Really Means to Pray, ‘Thy Will Be Done’” for a more in-depth explanation.

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Silence

So, we do. We pray. We talk to God. We ask about events around us. We express concerns. We ask for intervention, healing, guidance, protection and about a myriad of other needs and desires. We try to align our requests with the will and purpose of God. Sometimes God answers directly and immediately. Remarkable examples of miraculous healing and

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physically unexplainable blessings are encouraging. Receiving such gifts is exhilarating and often prompts gratitude and praise. Yet, at other times, it can seem as though God meets our requests and supplications with nothing—a thundering silence that can result in exasperation, feelings of uncertainty and fear, and even despair.

Four things to do when God is silent

God’s purpose is not to provoke such reactions. So, how should Christians make sense of and react to the apparent silence of God? Here are a few productive ideas: 1. Look—and I mean really look—for God’s response. Humans are often impressed by the dramatic. There are times when God responds with something vivid and miraculous. Consider the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14-15), Joshua’s prayer for the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:1214), the spectacular events following Elijah’s request on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:30-39), and the response to Cornelius’ prayers (Acts 10:1-8). God’s responses were immediate, powerful and unmistakable. It is easy to gravitate toward those examples and expect a similar dramatic response to our prayers. More frequently, God responds through direction in the Bible, where He has embedded spiritual principles that provide answers for real-life choices and decisions (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Finding those answers takes time, personal discipline and spiritual work. God commends “those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). It’s often the case that God is responding; we just have to listen well enough to hear. 2. Grow while you wait. When we need something, our natural inclination is to want it now. Waiting is, after all, challenging. Idly waiting can prove dangerous for Christians (Proverbs 19:15; 31:27).

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In some situations, God may use an apparent delay to facilitate spiritual growth and training (Hebrews 12:3-11). God’s goal is to produce “the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (verse 11). A Christian’s life should not be stagnant. Peter bids Christians to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Waiting for God’s response provides space to develop patience, faith, contentment, empathy and a number of other righteous traits. Times of silence can prove spiritually productive. 3. Practice persistence. The answer to prayers and supplications may be “not now,” rather than simply “no.” Jesus’ followers “always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Jesus used the now-famous parable of the persistent widow (verses 2-8) to illustrate this crucial attitude. God wants to hear from us. But He also wants to see a faithful resolve in our approach to prayer. Consider the prophet Elijah. That same prophet who called down fire from heaven in one of the most dramatic displays of answered prayer (1 Kings 18:3039) also experienced times when God seemed to meet his requests with silence. Elijah was persistent— seeking God’s intervention seven times (verses 4143). His persistence was rewarded in God’s timing (verses 44-45). 4. Accept God’s divine wisdom and move forward with faith. Humans are often geared to examine situations and identify the obvious solution. By this standard, it can seem that sometimes God doesn’t answer. Maybe we search diligently through Scripture for guidance and never land on a specific principle to guide us. We work on growing spiritually. We persist, again and again and again, in prayer. Yet God remains, as far as we can discern, silent. That silence can be excruciatingly difficult. Sometimes, Christians must simply trust in God’s divine prerogatives and move forward in faith (Isaiah 55:8-9). Paul urges, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

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Those who move forward in faith, even when met with apparent silence, are commended (Hebrews 11:1316, 39-40).

Preparation, not silence

Remember that long period following Malachi’s prophecy when it appeared God was silent? God wasn’t distant or uninvolved. He was actually working to fulfill His plan for mankind. During this time, God was bringing about and allowing world events to develop that would facilitate the establishment of the New Testament Church. It was during this period of silence that the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace, was established. This relative peace would provide an environment in which the Church could be planted and the gospel spread. An organized system of roadways, trading networks and a reliable mail system were developed. These developments would allow for the circulation of apostolic letters as well as traveling teachers of the gospel. Practicing Jews among the Diaspora were establishing synagogues across much of the Roman Empire. These enclaves would provide fertile ground for future Christian congregations. All these things were happening while God appeared to be silent. And, just like that, the apparent silence ended— picking up right where Malachi left off. Zacharias, a faithful priest, received a startling visit from the angel Gabriel. “Your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son . . . He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17). There are times it may appear God is inactive. In reality, He is actively bringing His children to glory (Hebrews 2:10). Are you dealing with apparent silence in your life? Look for God’s response, grow spiritually, persist and move forward in faith. Study more in “Does God Answer Prayers Today?” and “Finding Answers to the Questions That Matter” and related articles. —Jason Hyde

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Wonders of

GOD’S Creation

Nature’s Little Night-Light The incandescent light bulb is terribly inefficient—90 percent of the energy it uses produces heat instead of light. But the sophisticated chemical process at work inside a firefly may be the most efficient light in the world—nearly 100 percent of the reaction’s energy becomes light.

Of course, God didn’t just give the fireflies a working, light-producing chemical plant inside with no way to show it. The firefly has a “window” in its otherwise opaque exoskeleton, which acts like a lens to project the light outward—just like the Fresnel lens of a lighthouse.

Scientists are still trying to understand how these beetles turn their lights on and off, but the secret seems to involve a complex reaction between compounds and enzymes in the specialized light organs of the firefly’s abdomen.

How such a complex and elegant system of parts and processes comes together to make a lightning bug work is enlightening evidence of the planning and design of our Creator God.

Each firefly species blinks with its own unique pattern, which males and females can use to recognize each other. In some species, the males actually synchronize their flashing pattern, so that a whole field will seem to light up and flash on cue.

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Pictured: firefly (Photinus knulli) Photo by James Capo Text by Jeremy Lallier and James Capo

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Walk as He

Walked

The Powerful Life and Example of John the Baptist Christ’s ministry was introduced by a man called John the Baptist. Who was he? What was John the Baptist’s mission and purpose? What can we learn from him?

efore we dive into Jesus’ life during His public ministry, we need to make a slight detour and look at the life of another individual. The coming of the Christ didn’t happen in isolation. God sent a very special person ahead of Him. We know him as John the Baptist. Who was this man and what was his purpose?

Who were the parents of John the Baptist?

We are introduced to John the Baptist’s parents in Luke 1. His father, Zacharias, was a Levite, a priest who served in the temple. Zacharias was married to a woman named Elizabeth, who had been unable to bear children (Luke 1:7). Elizabeth was actually a relative— perhaps a cousin—of Mary, Jesus’ mother (verse 36).

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This means that John the Baptist and Jesus were also related, likely second or third cousins. Zacharias and Elizabeth were an exemplary couple—“both righteous before God,” according to Luke (verse 6, emphasis added throughout). This shows they had grown together in God’s way of life (1 Peter 3:7). This family environment was a key part of John’s preparation for his unique ministry. John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus. To learn what this fact shows us about the general timing of Jesus’ birth, read our article “John the Baptist: No Greater Prophet.”

What was John the Baptist’s purpose?

Because of their strong marriage and manner of living, God chose Zacharias and Elizabeth to be the parents of

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Photo: lightstock.com

the man who would prepare the way for the Messiah. You can read the details of how this was revealed to Zacharias in Luke 1:8-25. Here is a summary of what the angel revealed about John’s calling and purpose: • He wouldn’t drink alcohol—he would abstain from many of the normal physical pleasures of life (Matthew 11:18). Perhaps this was so he would have no distractions from his mission. (Of course, the Bible doesn’t forbid people from drinking in moderation—this was specifically for John because of his unique calling.) • His ministry would help orient the minds of his countrymen to God. • He would prepare the people to hear and receive the words of the Christ, who would come after him. • He would be a fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy in Malachi 3:1 and 4:5. He was also to fulfill another prophecy in Isaiah 40:3: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God [Christ].’” (This is one of many verses that prove Jesus Christ was God. To learn more about the identity and divinity of Christ, read “Jesus in the Old Testament?”) John the Baptist was given the job of heralding Christ’s first coming and alerting the people of their need to repent and listen to Him!

John the Baptist’s lifestyle and ministry We don’t know much about John the Baptist’s personal life. We do know that his parents would have provided him a strong education in the Scriptures. We know

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him as John the Baptist, but as a child he would have simply been known as John bar Zacharias, or John the son of Zacharias. But his calling and purpose were very different from those of his father. Instead of beginning temple service when he reached adulthood, he began his ministry and led a unique lifestyle. “Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6). Though this description may seem odd when viewed through 21st-century eyes, it was customary dress for the ancient prophets. His clothing and lifestyle symbolized his separation from the surrounding culture, as well as the fact that his life was solely dedicated to his mission. It was no coincidence that his attire resembled Elijah’s (2 Kings 1:8) since he was a fulfillment of the prophecy of a coming Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14). We read of crowds of people who listened to him and heeded his message, including tax collectors and soldiers. For these professionals to take John seriously meant that his preaching must have been compelling. He wasn’t regarded as some radically unstable, alienated and lonesome preacher, as movies often portray him. John the Baptist was not a loner. In fact, he had a group of disciples who learned at his feet—meaning he led a formal educational effort (John 1:35; 3:25).

What was John’s baptism?

We read that “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the

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remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). Though the Jews had practiced ritual washings similar to baptism, John’s baptism—full immersion into water—is the first time this ceremony is mentioned in the Bible. Repentance was a core element of John’s message. His teaching on repentance wasn’t just about feeling sorry for one’s sins, but the need to “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8). Put differently, John admonished his listeners to change the way they lived (see also verses 10-14). We read that many listened and were baptized (Mark 1:5). John’s preaching on repentance—turning from sin and changing from the inside out—would prepare people to receive Jesus’ message. Jesus would also preach about repentance and change—but in greater depth (verses 14-15; Matthew 5-7). John received a special honor—something only one man in all of human history has had. John baptized God in the flesh, Jesus Christ (Luke 3:21-22). Although John was initially reluctant, Jesus insisted that it be done (Matthew 3:13-15). Jesus wasn’t baptized for the forgiveness of His sins (He had no sin), but to set an example for those who would strive to walk as He walked. Jesus’ baptism underscores the truth that baptism is an essential part of the true Christian calling. To learn more about the importance of baptism, read “Do You Have to Be Baptized to Be Saved?”

John pointed people to Christ

People questioned whether John could himself be the Christ, and he was quick to point them away from himself and toward Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 3:15-16). John made it absolutely clear that his work was not comparable to, or in any competition with, the much greater work Jesus would do! At one point, as Jesus’ ministry began, John’s disciples informed him that people were gravitating toward Jesus rather than him. John’s disciples were concerned that he was losing his following. But John’s response demonstrated how well he understood his mission and showed the depth of his humility. He told his disciples, “[Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all” (John 3:30-31). John directed people to the true Christ, who was God in the flesh. John made no attempt to compete or draw

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attention to himself. He had the humility to recognize that his ministry needed to wind down and end so that the Messiah’s work could take center stage.

The legacy and example of John the Baptist

Shortly before Jesus began preaching in Galilee, John was arrested and imprisoned for denouncing a flagrant sin committed by Herod the tetrarch (Matthew 14:1-9). After about a year or so in prison, he was decapitated for a very petty and tragic reason (Mark 6:22-28). Jesus held John in high regard, going so far as to say he was God’s greatest prophet (Luke 7:28). Considering that the prophets would have included extraordinary men like Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, that is one of the greatest compliments anyone could ever receive from the Son of God. Jesus’ respect for John confirms the benefits of searching his life for lessons. Though some aspects of John’s life were specific to his calling and shouldn’t be imitated today, here are three key lessons we can learn from this great man: 1. John’s life centered around pointing people toward Jesus Christ. We should live our lives the same way—striving to direct people toward the One whose example we follow, not toward ourselves. This requires a deep level of humility—an essential virtue of true Christianity. 2. John stood out from the world around him. You and I are not called to live in the wilderness, eat locusts or wear camel hair, but we are called to show we are different by our conduct (2 Corinthians 6:17). When people truly strive to walk as Christ walked, they will be different from the world around them (Matthew 5:16). 3. John’s life mission was to proclaim God’s truth to others. He tried to reach as many people as possible with the message of repentance and Christ’s arrival. Today, the Church of God is responsible for announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God and preparing people for Christ’s return. You can be a part of that work. John the Baptist lived a short life, but every indication shows he lived it well and fulfilled the unique purpose God gave him. He is a worthy example to consider as we strive to walk just as his Cousin walked. —Erik Jones

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BY THE WAY

A Lesson From a Hole in the Ground

odrum, on the southwest coast of Turkey, is a glamorous resort for the yachting class of the rich and famous. My wife and I enjoyed weaving among the trendy restaurants and fantastic pleasure craft as we discussed its ancient history. Renowned for its architecture, its pulsing nightlife, its beaches and azure water, the city draws tourists from around the world. It is also the location of a wide and unique hole in the ground.

A wonder of the ancient world

Bodrum was known in antiquity as Halicarnassus, an important provincial capital of the Persian Empire. Its ruler Mausolus wished to leave a monument to his memory. He began building a grandiose tomb on a hill overlooking the town. At his death in 353 B.C., his sister-wife Artemisia continued the project. The massive structure finally stood 140 feet (43 meters) high. But it was the quality of its embellishment, beautiful statuary and frieze work that brought it fame. The first recognized historian, Herodotus, who was born in Halicarnassus, placed the Mausoleum on his famous list of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Today the word mausoleum is still used to describe stately above-ground tombs. Six of those seven wonders have been destroyed; only the pyramids of Giza remain today. The Mausoleum was the last to fall, thrown down by a series of earthquakes that left only its foundation standing by the 1400s. The ruins were pillaged to provide stone for a crusader castle built later that century. Impressive remnants of the statuary are displayed in the British Museum. A few stones and a large hole in the ground are all that remain in Bodrum.

Photo: iStockphoto.com Photos back cover: iStockphoto.com

Pride shall be brought low

The greatest human creations can all be destroyed by forces of nature: earthquake, fire, tempest, flood and time. It is a fitting metaphor for the inefficacy of human pride. All we can create physically, however grandiose, is destined to disappear. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this principle, in its culmination at the return of Jesus Christ. The great creations of men, as well as their pride, will be leveled.

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“For the day of the Lord of hosts Shall come upon everything proud and lofty, Upon everything lifted up— And it shall be brought low . . . “Upon every high tower, And upon every fortified wall . . . “The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; The Lord alone will be exalted in that day” (Isaiah 2:12, 15, 17). The fate of the Mausoleum is a striking reminder that the physical is temporary, and the only One to be exalted is the Eternal. Joel Meeker @JoelMeeker

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Have you ever wondered about the purpose for your life? For thousands of years mankind has searched for answers to questions like “What is the purpose for humanity?” and “Do we have a future after we die?” What if the answers were there all along in God’s Word, the Bible? This booklet will guide you through Scripture to discover the amazing purpose God has for you!

Download your free booklet from the

Learning Center on LifeHopeandTruth.com